USC women hold off Arizona 59-54 in Pac-12 tourney

SEATTLE (AP) -- Ariya Crook scored 19 points, including three free throws in the final 30 seconds, as the fifth-seeded USC women beat No. 12 seed Arizona 59-54 in the first round of the Pac-12 Conference tournament on Thursday.

Carissa Crutchfield hit a 3-pointer with 7:41 to play, pulling Arizona within three, 52-49, but the Wildcats made just 1 of 8 field goals the rest of the way and USC (19-12) held on for the win.

The Women of Troy will play No. 4 seed Arizona State (22-8) in the quarterfinals on Friday.